Starting in approximately the latter part of 2009, the paint on my car began to deteriorate--I use this word for lack of a better term, because to say it was peeling off or fading, etc. would not be accurate--it would be fit to say "all of the above". Once it started, it deteriorated quickly. The Absorber I use to dry my car after washing it started to come away tinged with red paint. Until recently, the only part of the car that still had decent paint was the rear and just this week the rear bumper has begun to bubble all over. At this point in time, I am embarrassed to be seen in my vehicle--the worst part of it is that my car, if not for the paint, is in absolute pristine condition and today has only 26,900 original miles. I have been told by a body shop that it looks as if the car may have been damaged during shipment as there is red underneath the paint rather than primer, but I'm certainly not knowledgeable enough to know if this is the case. All I know is that the cost of having it painted is prohibitive--I've been quoted up to $3,000. I am at a loss as to what to do--when I am out, I frequently have people claiming to be in the auto body business that comment on the paint. That's how bad it is.

I've had good luck with my 1999 Honda Accord EX, with the glaring exception of the egregiously poor factory paint and clear coat. Mechanically the car is sound but it looks like it has a horrible disease. I am embarrassed to drive it anywhere that friends or co-workers might see me. The problems started about 2-3 years ago, despite regular maintenence and car washes. I live in a moderate climate in TN and own a garage, so the car was rarely exposed to the elements for any length of time. I've had neither the money nor the time to get a new paint job, and increasingly I saw more ane more Honda cars the same vintage as my own with what appeared to be similar problems. After doing a little bit of research online, I found photos and a description of the exact issue my car is experiencing at the below link:

http://www.hondaproblems.com/problems/peeling-paint.shtml

Further investigation led me to several blogs and internet chat boards where literally hundreds of dis-satisfied Honda owners described in detail this exact issue. The elephant in the room is,, WHY HAS HONDA NOT INITIATED A RECALL? I always thought I would be a Honda lifer, but after this experience I really doubt it, unless Honda changes their tune and makes this right.